Creating sustainable businesses through culture

From the cacao tree to a local chocolate factory, a bar of Maya chocolate carries stories of tradition and innovation. What should we know about the chocolate and the people who make it? We talked with Julio Saqui, founder and owner of Che’il Mayan Chocolate Factory, to see how chocolate becomes a medium to safeguard Maya culture and empower the local community. 

Millions visit the famous archaeological reserves in Belize every year, yet there are still a few sites that barely get any visitors or are closed to tourism. Here are some of the hidden Maya archaeological sites in Belize (plus some contacts to plan your trip).

The ways in which people around the globe choose to travel has changed immensely in recent years. Travelers are seeking out are more ‘green’ than ever before. A common term being used in the industry is ‘sustainable tourism,’ yet, there seems to be some confusion surrounding what it means. In the case of Belize, sustainable tourism is certainly a priority for several businesses. We sat down with Hamanasi and Ka’ana Resorts to gain a more nuanced perspective as to how this is playing out on the ground.

Here is a guide to visiting Indian Church Village, a small settlement with vibrant culture next to Lamanai Archaeological Reserve in Northern Belize.

Sustainopreneurship—a relatively new concept that might soon have a huge role to play in society. First introduced in 2007, the term is short for sustainability entrepreneurship and is also known as “entrepreneurship with a cause”. In this case, that cause is securing a sustainable future for all of us.

Yan o’oh K’abej’tIL ka ti yan’kun uj chu’x bejbal ti kux’tal ka til yeej tijo ti waj sutil. Walak oh ka’all tee ho ti sutiloj uh mu’k oh kux’tal, tuba kuxlaho eletel ta’kin ti walak oh bel ti sut etel uh k’ato ah hu’npiel ba’al tee ka uj wailto ti tan uh betic a ki tee ah yokolcab.

Here’s a pop quiz: do you know the difference between culture and heritage? If not, don’t fret! The answer’s not as straightforward as one might think.

Como propietario de un negocio, probablemente sepa lo importante que son los buenos gráficos para atraer clientes y generar confianza en su empresa. Una imagen de alta calidad o un gráfico bien diseñado para su página de redes sociales, anuncio o sitio web pueden ponerlo millas por delante de sus competidores.

Community museums are a great place to visit if you want to learn more about local culture. Many of these small spaces are grassroots initiatives that allow the community to explore local histories and to provide educational opportunities for the younger generations. Making it easier to find these amazing places, here is a local's guide to community museums in Northern Belize.

MayaBags®️ handmade bags carry a profound story about Belizean Maya culture, its inherent creativity and the female Maya artisans who make the textiles that frame the bags. MayaBags is a successful social enterprise that works with Maya women from the Toledo District. This is their story!

Learn about history and Archaeology at Nim Li Punit, Toledo! Tucked away in the richly diverse foothills of the Maya Mountains, Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites open to visitors in southern Belize’s Toledo District. Despite its modest size, Nim Li Punit has been the subject of international attention in recent decades because of its remarkable collection of stelae. Spread across the site, these monumental stone sculptures were used to commemorate the lives of political leaders, historical battles and ceremonial activity during the site’s settlement in the Late Classic period (C.E. 600-900).

If you are a social enterprise business (or you want to become one) and you are lost on where to start, below are some green tips to help you become an ethical tourism stakeholder – compiled by Ecomadic.

There is a growing need for authentic and cultural tourism experiences. If you are a business and lost on where to start, here are some green tips for improving ethical experiences compiled by Ecomadic.

Small and local businesses play an important role in destinations all over the world. Community development and well-being, increased local character and prosperity, environmental sustainability, and healthy competition/product diversity are just some of the benefits that a concentration of local businesses can bring to local places.

If you are an eco-accommodation business and lost on where to start your sustainability journey, below are some green tips compiled by Ecomadic to begin.

You can hear "Shop small and support local!" a lot this holiday season, but what does it really mean for sustainability? How can you actually shop small or support local? Here is a guide to doing just that.

Guides and other individuals working in tourism are the frontline hosts to heritage spaces and nature reserves with unparalleled knowledge of local histories and practices. An interview with Christian Darrell Ramirez, a young tour guide from a small village in Belize. Why does responsible tourism have an essential role in the conscious safeguarding of culture and nature?

It takes as much as 16 years before the Hicatee turtle is old enough to reproduce. The Hicatee is listed in the top 10 most endangered turtles in the world by the IUCN, and it is classified as critically endangered. Allowing them to live long enough to continue the lineage is critical for the survival of the species. We want them to continue to be a part of our culture now and in the future.

‌Kanan Miatsil‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌Non-profit‌ ‌Organisation‌ ‌in Northern Belize led‌ ‌by‌ ‌Felicita‌ ‌Cantun,‌ ‌‌a‌ ‌retired‌ ‌teacher‌ ‌who‌ ‌spent‌ ‌forty‌ ‌years‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌classroom.‌‌ ‌She‌ ‌is‌ ‌known‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌area‌ ‌as‌ ‌the‌ ‌“Culture‌ ‌Warrior”‌ ‌for‌ ‌receiving‌ ‌numerous‌ ‌awards‌ ‌for‌ ‌her‌ ‌efforts‌ throughout‌ ‌the‌ ‌years.

With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, we are often disconnected from the stories behind the products we buy. Read about a Belizean fashion brand that is inspired by cultural fusion and traditional techniques. In a discussion with Emilio Perera, you can read about inspiration and techniques that come from Belizean culture.

How a Small Museum in Belize Paves the Way Towards Inclusive Cultural Preservation. A family museum in San Lazaro Village in Northern Belize has grown into a fantastic hub for tourism and cultural research in the past few years. The museum is located in the Orange Walk District, famous for its sugar production.

In order to prosper in society, business and everyday-life, people should understand the current economic status in which they operate. This post highlights the key information in Belize’s monthly External Trade Report, in the hopes that it will inform the decisions made going forward.

Belize has COVID-19 under control, but can the same be said for Belizeans? How is travelling in the time of COVID19? Are people keeping with the safety regulations set by Belizean authorities?

There are a few simple steps that you can follow to create a clean and beautiful look for your social media. It will represent the quality work you do, attract potential customers and evoke trust towards your company and services.

You don't need to be an artist or a graphic designer to create your business graphics! There is one program you will need.

Heritage Education Network Belize came to be in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.